India will host two DP World Tour events in a single year for the first time since 2008. The DP World India Championship 2025, set for October 16–19, follows the Hero Indian Open held earlier in March. Rare among Asian tournaments, this event will assemble a star-studded lineup of Ryder Cup players. Despite being a debut tournament with $4 million in prize money, the field already boasts four European Ryder Cup stars.

The roster includes Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, and Shane Lowry, along with their captain, Luke Donald. They will tee off at the historic Delhi Golf Club, a course with nearly a century of tradition that has witnessed some of Indian golf’s most defining moments.

Delhi Golf Club venue details

The Delhi Golf Club, nestled on Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg near India Gate, is home to two distinguished layouts. Its 18-hole championship Lodhi Course, crafted by the Gary Player Design studio, challenges even the most accomplished golfers. Meanwhile, the shorter 9-hole Peacock Course traces its roots to a redesign by Peter Thomson in 1976–77.

The Lodhi Course stretches 6,912 yards from the black tees, a par-72 layout with a course rating of 73.5 and a slope of 130. The 14 water hazards and 88 bunkers demand precision at every turn. With four par-3s, ten par-4s, and four par-5s, it rewards strategy as much as power. The signature 18th hole, a 556-yard par-5, tests players with three critical shots to reach a green guarded by both bunkers and a lake on the left, ensuring a dramatic finish to any round.

Arguably, the course’s signature hole is the 5th, a seemingly modest par-3 measuring just 172 yards. Its challenge lies in the elevated green, which punishes any mis-hit with precision. A cleverly designed false front adds another layer of difficulty, sending wayward balls tumbling back and testing even the steadiest nerves.

When comparing the front and back nine holes, the front 9 appears more challenging.. The front 9 features more water hazards. So the fairways are comparatively narrower. On the other hand, the back 9 holes are more open. But there are a few, like the 12th and the 18th, that can be tricky. Just like the 5th, the 12th hole also has a false front that can roll the ball 15 yards back. The 18th hole is tricky because the 2nd shot needs to carry all the way. Beyond these challenges, the course carries a rich legacy that stretches back nearly a century.

History of the Delhi Golf Club

The origins of the club trace back to the 1930s, when it was first known as the Lodhi Golf Club. At that time, it was established as a municipal course, meaning it was owned and managed by the local government and open to the public, making golf accessible to a broader community. However, in the 50s, this changed.

In February 1950, the course became a corporate entity. Following a reorganization and redesign in 1951, the Delhi Golf Club stands today. Then, in 2019, the Gary Player Design firm redesigned the Lodhi Course once again. This time, they made it more challenging and brought out its appeal.

The first Indian Open was hosted at the Delhi Golf Club in 1964. It was the premier international golf tournament in India. Legendary Australian golfer Peter Thomson, 5-time British Open winner, won the inaugural event. The Delhi Golf Club continued to host the Indian Open thereafter for multiple years, among other events.

Besides the Indian Open, it hosted the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters in 2008. Later rebranded as Avantha Masters, it was the first DP World Tour event in India. Delhi Golf Club hosted the Indian Masters until 2013. It also hosted the DP World Tour event, the Hero Indian Open, in 2016.

The 2025 DP World Indian Championship marks a return to the Delhi Golf Club. This event is a big one featuring Rory McIlroy and other Ryder Cup stars. Its timeless charm and challenging layout promise an unforgettable week of world-class golf in the heart of New Delhi.